Carleton Ching listened for hours Wednesday as dozens of unhappy environmentalists argued he is not qualified to lead the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and its 900 employees.

Still, Ching, vice president of community and government relations for Castle & Cooke Hawaii — one of the largest developers in the state — pledged to do "everything we can" to preserve cultural assets, telling members of the Senate Committee on Water and Land that Hawaii’s natural resources are "our brand. It’s what people come for … that brand is invaluable."

The committee closed its hearing shortly before 7 p.m., with Chairwoman Laura Thielen saying the panel will reconvene at 1 p.m. Thursday. After more questioning, the panel is expected to vote on whether to recommend Ching’s nomination to the full Senate.

Outdoor Circle Executive Director Marti Townsend said Gov. David Ige’s controversial nominee lacks necessary management skills, familiarity with the department and a background in resource management.

"The governor has promised to unite the community, to bring us together toward problem-solving, but this nomination has served only to divide the community," Townsend said. "The governor promised to collaborate with community members, yet this nomination was announced with no collaboration, no consultation with the environmental community."

Despite sometimes furious criticism, Ige remains firm in his support of the nominee, citing Ching’s management experience and integrity. Ige told the Senate committee his discussions with Ching "give me hope and belief that he is the best person to do this job."

If Ching is confirmed, Ige said, "He will make all of us proud as he works to engage the community and lead this department that has such an important task." The governor watched and listened for hours as dozens of speakers testified at Ching’s confirmation hearing.

The Ching nomination has emerged as the first dramatic test of Ige’s determination and political prowess as governor, but he will have significant advantages should the potential confirmation reach the full Senate.

Just months ago Ige was a long-standing member of a large political faction in the state Senate known as the "Chess Club," and he has loyal friends there.

He was also one of the Senate’s most influential members as its Ways and Means Committee chairman, responsible for all state funding. That allowed him to do critically important favors for his former colleagues by delivering funding for their favorite projects and programs when he held power in the Senate.

Ige wields far greater power today as governor, and spent part of Tuesday afternoon walking the halls of the Senate to make his case.

In addition to the Ching nomination, several environmental groups are displeased with other decisions by the new governor.

David Kimo Frankel, president of the Hawaii Sierra Club Chapter, pointed to the recent removal of former Public Utilities Commission Chairwoman Hermina Morita and the transfer of former BLNR Chairman William Aila Jr. out of the Land Department to a new job in the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as decisions that did not sit well with some environmentalists.

Frankel also cited the departure of Gary Gill as deputy director of the Health Department’s environmental health administration. All three are highly regarded in environmental circles.

"There appears to be an effort to move a significant number of people associated with environmental protection out of the government, and no effort to replace them with others associated with natural resource protection, whether it’s at Department of Health, or at Department of Land and Natural Resources, or at the Office of Planning," Frankel said.

Ching is on leave from his administrative job at Castle & Cooke pending his confirmation.

In his role with Castle & Cooke, Ching played a significant part in winning approvals for the controversial Koa Ridge project between Waipahu and Mililani. The project secured rezoning from the Honolulu City Council in late 2013 authorizing 3,500 homes despite concerns about traffic and the loss of agricultural land.

Ching said he would recuse himself from any matters pertaining to Castle & Cooke unless doing so would prevent the Land Board from voting on a matter of health and safety.

The nominee said he has never appeared before the BLNR or the Commission on Water Resource Management, and said that the last time he dealt directly with DLNR was seven years ago at a meeting to discuss a Lanai wind farm project.

Ching also said the prospect of giving up a higher-paying job to serve in Ige’s administration was a challenging decision, but added that it was a sacrifice he was willing to make for his family.

Friends, colleagues and supporters testified in favor of Ching’s confirmation. Among that group was the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Hawaii Construction Alliance, members of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee to DLNR, and longtime community activist and former state Sen. Bob Nakata.

Nakata recalled Ching’s efforts 30 years ago when Ching worked for the Hawaii Housing Authority, and was helping to arrange long-term leases for tenants in Waiahole-Waikane.

"Carleton listened to the people of that community, and sometimes had to be a referee between the tenants," Nakata said. "I think he had proven his ability to work across differences, and that he does listen, so I would urge you to support this nomination."

Ching has also worked for real estate developer Westloch Inc., Molokai Ranch, and for the project management and engineering firm SSFM International.

He served on the board of the Building Industry Association and the Land Use Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to promote the interests of the development industry.

In an effort to avoid potential conflicts and to make time for his new responsibilities at DLNR, Ching said, he resigned from the boards of LURF, the Building Industry Association, Hawaii Pacific University and Pali Momi Medical Center when he was tapped for nomination.

Ching’s position on the board of the Building Industry Association drew criticism Wednesday that focused on a logo the BIA published that apparently mocked the State Historic Preservation Division by including an "X" through the initials SHPD.

Sara Collins, president of the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology, pointed out that if Ching is confirmed, he would oversee the Historic Preservation Division.

"I have a real concern when one of their (BIA) former board members is now seeking to become the state historic preservation officer among other titles he would hold if he is confirmed," she said. "I have to wonder, how is this going to work?"

Longtime DLNR employee Randy Awo said that while Ching might be a good manager, his years working for land developers will affect the way he does his job. "Part of who you are is connected to the work that you do and the associations that you have, and all of those influences matter," he said.

Awo, who has retired from the DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, said an online petition has gathered 7,542 signatures in opposition to Ching’s nomination, and that the vast majority of written testimony submitted before Wednesday’s hearing was against Ching’s appointment.

"While we don’t agree on everything when we’re in the same room, we agree that this is a bad choice," said Awo, referring to groups and individuals who have expressed opposition.

Awo asked the senators to "set aside their personal, professional and political relationships with this administration, and instead focus on your relationship with Hawaii and what it means for all of you, and let that drive your decision."